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Carp, Kimbrel named Rookies of Month

Carp, Kimbrel named Rookies of Month

8/31/11: Craig Kimbrel tallies his 41st save of the season in the Braves' victory, setting a Major League record for saves by a rookie

By Evan Drellich
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MLB.com |

On a team laden with talented rookies, the Mariners' Mike Carp stood out in August, and he was named the American League's Rookie of the Month on Tuesday.

In the National League, Braves closer Craig Kimbrel received the award for the second time this season, after also taking it home in June. He's one of 10 National Leaguers to win it twice, the previous being his teammate Jason Heyward, who did it last year.

"I'm not really worried about awards or anything like that," Kimbrel said. "I'd trade both of them in just to get through the playoffs."

Carp, a left-handed-hitting first baseman, led AL first-year players with 25 RBIs and tied for the lead with eight doubles. He hit .313 with six home runs, a .353 on-base percentage and a .545 slugging percentage.

The 25-year-old Carp also tied a club rookie record for RBIs in a single month, matching Danny Tartabull's performance from July 1986.

Carp was on fire for more than half the month, collecting a hit in his first 18 August contests en route to a 20-game hit streak, dating to July. His average on the streak was .363.

Kimbrel converted each of his 10 save opportunities during the month, and allowed just six hits in 12 2/3 scoreless innings over 13 appearances. The 23-year-old matched his age with his strikeout tally in the month, issuing just four walks.

Kimbrel finished the month with a flourish by striking out at least two batters in his final eight appearances, contributing to a Major League record: from Aug. 14-Sept. 3, Kimbrel recorded at least two strikeouts in 10 straight appearances that totaled no more than one inning pitched. The previous single-season record was seven outings, reached by Matt Mantei (1999), Billy Wagner (2007) and Kimbrel himself (2010).

Kimbrel is 4-2 with a 1.57 ERA and 42 saves on the season. Carp carries a .288 average, eight home runs and 34 RBIs.

Evan Drellich is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @EvanDrellich. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.